US 6,504,571 B1 · System and methods for querying digital image archives using recorded parameters

Abstract

System and methods for querying digital image archives containing digital photographs and/or videos (collectively, “digital images”). The digital images are indexed in accordance with a plurality of recorded parameters including time, date and geographic location data (altitude and longitude), as well as image data such as lens focal length, auto focus distance, shutter speed, exposure duration, aperture setting, frame number, image quality, flash status and light meter readings, which are used for searching a database consisting of the digital images. These images are preferably generated by an image capturing system which is capable of measuring and recording a plurality of parameters with each captured digital image. The image retrieval system allows a querying user to search the image archive by formulating one or more of a plurality of query types which are based on the recorded parameters, and then retrieve and display those images having the specified parameters.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A digital image retrieval system, comprising:

an image database comprising a plurality of digital images, wherein the digital images are indexed in the database using a plurality of recorded parameters, and wherein each digital image comprises at least one of the plurality of recorded parameters;
a user interface for generating at least one of a plurality of query types;
a first query module for processing a first query type comprising an attribute that specifies at least one of the plurality of recorded parameters, wherein the first query module retrieves, from the image database, digital images having the at least one recorded parameter;
and
a second query module for processing a second query type comprising a request for photo navigation from a specified origin to a specified destination, wherein the second query module (i) retrieves, from a routing system, routing data corresponding to a route between the specified origin and destination, (ii) searches the image database for digital images having recorded parameters that correspond to the routing data and (iii) generates, from the routing data, corresponding text directions comprising hyperlinked text that links to at least one image in the database associated with the hyperlinked text.

2 more elements

A method for retrieving digital images from an image database, comprising the steps of:

indexing digital images in the image database using a plurality of recorded parameters, wherein each digital image comprises at least one of the plurality of recorded parameters;
generating a first query type comprising an attribute that specifies at least one of the plurality of recorded parameters;
in response to the first query type, retrieving, from the image database, digital images having the at least one recorded parameter;
generating a second query type comprising a request for photo navigation from a specified origin to a specified destination;
and
in response to the second query type, (i) retrieving routing data corresponding to a route between the specified origin and destination, (ii) searching the image database to locate digital images having recorded parameters that correspond to the routing data and (iii) generating, from the routing data, corresponding text directions comprising hyperlinked text that links to at least one image in the database associated with the hyperlinked text.

3 more elements

A program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform method steps for retrieving digital images from an image database, the method comprising the steps of:

indexing digital images in the image database using a plurality of recorded parameters, wherein each digital image comprises at least one of the plurality of recorded parameters;
generating a first query type comprising an attribute that specifies at least one of the plurality of recorded parameters;
in response to the first query type, retrieving, from the image database, digital images having the at least one recorded parameter;
generating a second query type comprising a request for photo navigation from a specified origin to a specified destination;
and
in response to the second query type, (i) retrieving routing data corresponding to a route between the specified origin and destination, (ii) searching the image database to locate digital images having recorded parameters that correspond to the routing data and (iii) generating, from the routing data, corresponding text directions comprising hyperlinked text that links to at least one image in the database associated with the hyperlinked text.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

System and methods for querying digital image archives using recorded parameters

Life of this patent

System and methods for querying digital image archives using recorded parameters

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19